Re: Is Word Formatting in End-User docs important? [was:Word Help (pr oblem solved)]

[Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>]

Paul Hanson wrote:
 
> The information in these docs, though, was up-to-date when they were
> originally sent out. I used to think like you did, and think, "What a
> frickin' mess of a document!" but now, I think, "What a frickin' mess of
> a document, but it works."

Part of the discussion was about the resumes of would-be writers.
Not using styles is a good sign that the applicant doesn't know the
tools of the trade very well.

In other circumstances, the formatting may matter less. And, of
course, you are right that the information is what counts. However,
if the document is going to be around for a while, and even revised,
then poor formatting becomes a handicap. Often, it's far harder to
add to a document formatted with spaces and tabs than to add to one
formatted using styles - at least, without making an even greater
mess. So, it might be fair to say that someone who doesn't use
styles is adding to colleagues' work.

-- 
Bruce Byfield, Outlaw Communications
Contributing Editor, Maximum Linux
604.421.7189 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com

"You shot me down with friendly fire
You were all dressed up to play Gun for Hire
The rope you threw me was made of barbed wire
But put it there pal, put it there."
- Richard Thompson, "Put It There, Pal"

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